Singapore Navy Commissions Two Invincible-class Submarines At Changi Navy Base

Submarines RSS Invincible and RSS Impeccable entered operations with the Republic of Singapore Navy after the ceremony held at Changi Navy Base, attended by Singapore’s Prime Minister and Defense Minister Lawrence Wong and Dr Ng Eng Hen.

They were shipped to Singapore from the builder Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) shipyard in Kiel, Germany, using heavy-lift ships.

The 4 Invincible-class diesel-electric subs were custom-built per the requirements of the Navy, for operating in shallow and tropical waters that surround Singapore. The design of the subs took into account the high salinity and warmth of local waters.

Singapore previously bought second-hand subs of the Challenger and Archer class from Sweden that previously belonged to the Sjöormen and Västergötland-class. They underwent modifications to be used in Singaporean waters.

Per the Defense Ministry of Singapore, these new submarines are highly automated with a commendable payload capacity, high endurance and optimised ergonomics.

Video Credits: Republic of Singapore Navy/YouTube

They are 70 m long and displace 2000 tonnes on surface and 2200 tonnes underwater. The submarines have eight torpedo tubes and can deliver special forces for covert operations.

They have been made to accommodate female submarines among their 28-member crew and have comfortable accommodation space so crews do not have to share bunks.

Singapore ordered two subs, then called Type 218SG, in 2014, and 2 more were ordered in 2017.

The two invincible-class submarines, Illustrious and Inimitable, were launched in Germany in 2022 and 2024 and will arrive in Singapore by 2028.

Singapore is the first Southeast Asian country to operate submarines and has built a cadre of submariners. It has also improved its knowledge of operations in the Malacca Strait and the South China Sea.

Its strategic location at the end of Peninsular Malaysia at the maritime chokepoint where shipping lanes running through the South China Sea meet the Malacca Strait makes it an important player in the global maritime trade.

References: Nation Thailand, Naval News

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